Chapter 2

Chapter TWO 'Come on, Inkibelle!' I said on the morning of our camping trip. I poked my little pet octopus gently. 'It's time to go!' Inkibelle wriggled further down under the duvet. She does not like getting up early! While she snoozed for a little bit longer, I got dressed and then opened my rucksack to double-check I'd

packed everything. There was my roll- up mattress, sleeping bag, tent, pillow, and snacks. Lastly, I packed my favourite starfish plushie, as I can't sleep without it. Then, I carefully hung Dad's special compass round my neck. Maybe I would need to use it if we went sea mountain trekking!

I did up the straps of the rucksack, put it on, and then scooped Inkibelle up from the pillow. It was time to go! Mum and Delphina were already waiting by the front door, both munching on a seaweed crunch breakfast bar. Delphina was spinning round excitedly in the water, wearing her backpack with a squishy pufferfish toy poking out of the top. 'Aren't you bringing Mer-Bear?' I asked. Mer-Bear is Delphina's special cuddly toy, which our vampire-fairy friend, Isadora Moon magicked alive for her.

'Mer-Bear doesn't like the idea of camping,' replied Delphina. 'So I'm bringing Squishy instead.'

Mum handed me a breakfast bar and I began to eat it too. Just then, there came a bubbling and swishing from up above and Auster appeared at the top of the staircase. He was dragging an absolutely ginormous bag behind him. Two mer-butlers followed him, also dragging suitcases. I thought you said you only had a

rucksack?' said Mum. Auster shrugged. 'It wasn't big enough for all my stuff!'